Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Shooters expected to haul in medals

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have always won medals in Commonwealth Games shooting since 1998 and they are expected to keep up the trend with a stronger squad to New Delhi.
With the team finalised three months ago with numerous shooters who have surpassed the qualifying marks omitted because of quota, the National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) are confident of a four-medal haul in New Delhi.

“Having to leave out a large number of shooters who met the qualifying marks showed quality in our stable,” said NSAM secretary Jasni Shaari.
But the main concern for Jasni is that the shooters remain problem free throughout the competition period from Oct 5-13.

“This is a sport that requires high precision. I hope that no illness, no equipment problems or whatsoever will happen there,” he said.

“I believe most of them are at their peak now and it all down to competition day to see whether they can bring home the targeted medals.”

The team form is regarded to be up to mark with the medal contenders from Australia, England and hosts India.

In the world championships in Munich in July, debutante Nur Shahera Rahim Raja matched her personal best score of 394 in the 10m air rifle event.

Pistol shooter Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan, another medal hopeful in New Delhi, also gave a creditable performance to finish 26th in the 25m standard pistol event.

“From the scores, we can see how they stack up against world’s best and they are good enough to be medal contenders in the Commonwealth Game. But they must not let themselves be overawed by the occasion,” said Jasni.

One shooter who would be hoping for a big break in New Delhi is Bibiana Ng, who has never failed to win a medal in the Games since 1998.

Only a gold medal is missing from her collection. She came close to getting one in 998 in the 25m sport pistol event.

“She has progressed well in the build-up to the Games. I believe with a little bit of luck, she might just nail it this time,” said Jasni.